Distraction
While exact figures on the number of accidents caused by distraction are not available, a Dutch study estimated that eliminating mobile phone use while driving would have prevented nearly 600 road deaths and hospital admissions in one year alone.
Common causes of distraction
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Most distractions can be avoided by good organization. Eat, smoke or make that call before hitting the road, and pull over to deal with children or take a call.
Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel
Distraction takes many forms, with some activities stealing the driver’s attention in more ways than one.
Physical distraction
- Happens when a driver has to use one or both hands to answer a call, send a text message, use a satnav, change radio channel, eat or smoke
- Both hands should be available to steer and change gear at all times
Visual distraction
- Caused when a driver looks away from the road, e.g. to use phone or satnav
Auditory distraction
- Occurs when a driver is distracted by the initial ringing of the phone, a telephone conversation, or even a conversation with a passenger
Mental distraction
- Happens when two mental tasks are performed at the same time
- Listening alone can reduce activity in the part of the brain used for driving by more than a third
The law
- Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal in all EU countries
- Using a hands-free device is also illegal in some countries
- Eating, drinking and smoking are not illegal, but drivers can be charged with careless driving if police believe they are not in control of the vehicle